dust

There is growing evidence that indoor surface pollution is one of the causes of sick building syndrome and that ventilation and air conditioning can exacerbate the problem. Gary Raw of the BRE explains

The aim of this study is to assess the performance of the mechanical ventilation system and air quality in an office building. The perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) technique was used to measure air flow in an air handling unit and to estimate flow rates supplied to the office. In order to validate the PFT technique as a viable means of measuring air flow in the mechanical ventilation system, the PFT measurements were compared with measurements made using a pitot-static tube. Air exchange range, ventilation effectiveness and age of air were examined.

Jacques Whitford Environment Limited (JWEL) and Morrison Hershfield Limited (MH) have completed a research project investigating the level of risk associated with soil gases and dust in high-rise apartment buildings. The research was conducted in response to a request for proposals issued by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC). The study investigated the hypothesis that the risk associated with gas and dust from contaminated lands can be reduced for residents of high-rise apartment buildings compared to residents of single-unit or low-rise residential structures .